Foreign; not classical or pure; abounding in barbarisms; of or pertaining to an illiterate people: applied to language, originally to languages which were not Greek or Latin. See barbarism.Speaking a foreign language; foreign; outlandish: applied to people. [Archaic.] See barbarian, n., 1.Characterized by or showing ignorance of arts and civilization; uncivilized; rude; wild; savage: as, barbarous peoples, nations, or countries; barbarous habits or customs.Pertaining to or characteristic of barbarians; adapted to the taste of barbarians; barbaric; of outlandish character.Cruel; ferocious; inhuman: as, barbarous treatment.Harsh-sounding, like the speech of barbarians: as, wild and barbarous music.Synonyms Barbarian, Barbarous, Barbaric (see barbarian); ruthless, brutal, fierce, bloody, savage, truculent.